RIP Ronald Tavel
Poster by Alan Aldridge for Chelsea Girls (1966), for which Tavel wrote the script.
Ronald Tavel (May 17, 1936 – March 23, 2009) was an American writer, director and actor, and was known for his work with Andy Warhol and The Factory. He was involved in the Playhouse of the Ridiculous and wrote the scripts for Chelsea Girls, Poor Little Rich Girl and Vinyl.
Thank you for your gracious remembrance of Ronald Tavel, who was truly one of America’s greatest writers and brilliant thinkers.
I had been a close friend of Ron, meeting him in 1979 in the East Village. His passion, integrity, and astonishing creative abilities is part of the real drama of off-off-Broadway plays in the 1960S and 1970s, as well as a dynamic force behind the films of Andy Warhol. He had written a final novel, CHAIN, in Bangkok over the last few years, and I hope it will find publication. JOHN J POWERS